2023-09-05 19:42:00
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It is less than a week since the coup in Gabon. The Bongo family’s rule of around 56 years came to an abrupt end with the military coup. Ex-President Ali Bongo remains under house arrest. And from there, you unintentionally become a star on social media.
The President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, who was ousted by a coup, might hardly have dreamed of it: That he would land another hit at the age of 74. When Ali Bongo was placed under house arrest by the coup leaders last week when they took power, he sent a video message to “all his friends all over the world” – and asked them “to make noise” to make noise because of him.
A few hours later, a remix of Ali Bongo’s desperate call out of house arrest was already circulating.
Since then, various memes have emerged from it, people dance to it on social media and like it thousands of times.
James Brown, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson
The irony of the story: Ali Bongo actually wanted to be a music star when he was young. Before Ali Bongo took power in Gabon from his father, longtime ruler Omar Bongo, Ali Bongo recorded an album in the 1970s. That was before the presidential family converted to Islam and Ali Bongo was still singing under the name Alain Bongo.
The album “A brand new man” was produced by the manager of funk legend James Brown. James Brown had previously performed at Father Bongo’s birthday. But the Bongo family’s love of music didn’t stop in the 1970s. Ali Bongo’s mother divorced father Bongo in the 80s and became a singer. Ali Bongo’s sister had an affair with reggae star Bob Marley and brought him to Gabon for a concert. In the 1990s, the “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson, paid a visit to the bongos.
New ruler, old entanglements
But now the Bongo dynasty, which lasted more than half a century, has come to an end with their love for music. In Gabon, someone else is setting the pace today. Putschist leader General Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in as interim president on Monday. The new ruler welcomed the politically persecuted from exile and prison, he promised a new constitution and new elections. However, without giving a date for it.
Even if the putsch nourishes the hope of better times among the Gabonese population, it is questionable whether these will come with interim President Brice Oligui Nguema. The chief of the Presidential Guard used to ensure the safety of father and son Bongo and was part of the regime for years. He is even said to be related to Ali Bongo. And whether General Brice Oligui Nguema will have an ear for music for the concerns of the Gabonese population has yet to be proven.
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